| Name: | Rory McArdle |
| Nationality: | English |
| Date of Birth: | 01/05/1987 |
| Height: | 6' 1" (185cm) |
| Weight: | 11st 5lbs (72.0kg) |
| Previous | |
| Clubs: | Sheffield Wed, Rochdale (loan) |
| Position: | Defender |

Rory returned to Spotland on loan from Sheffield Wednesday in November 2006, having had a lengthy loan spell with Dale during the previous season. The Northern Ireland under-21 international defender had made just two substitute appearances for the Owls, but he did feature 20 times for Dale in 2005/06, scoring his only goal in a 3-1 win at Macclesfield.
Having impressed upon his return to Spotland the club paid an undisclosed fee to Wednesday and secured McArdle on a contract until the summer of 2009 in the process.

Now very much a fixture in the side Rory, was a lynchpin in the defence alongside Nathan Stanton as Dale made a first ever visit to the end of season Play Off Final at Wembley in May 2008 with Rory scoring the opening goal in a 3-2 defeat against Stockport County.
Despite only recently passing his 21st birthday Rory achieved the milestone of 100 appearances for the club early in the 2008/9 and continues to the attract the attention of clubs from a higher level with his excellent displays. Again, Rory was a key figure, alongside Nathan Stanton, in the Dale side that reached the League Two Play-Off finals.

| Competition | Apps (as sub) |
Goals | Yellow Cards |
Red Cards |
| League | 43 (0) | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 3 (0) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| League Cup | 1 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career History: | ||||
| Club | Season | Comp. | Apps (as sub) |
Goals |
| Rochdale | 2007 - 08 | League | 45 (1) | 3 |
| FA Cup | 1 (0) | 0 | ||
| League Cup | 2 (0) | 0 | ||
| Rochdale | 2006 - 07 | League | 25 (0) | 0 |
| FA Cup | 1 (0) | 0 | ||
| Sheffield Wed | 2006 - 07 | League | 0 (1) | 0 |
| League Cup | 0 (1) | 0 | ||
| Rochdale | 2005 - 06 | League | 16 (3) | 1 |
| FA Cup | 1 (0) | 0 | ||













